Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of Europe, dear friends,

Welcome to Denmark, to Copenhagen, and to Amalienborg, the official residence of the Danish Royal Family.

Our monarchy goes back more than a thousand years and is with its continuous line of monarchs one of the world’s oldest – not least thanks to the many European alliances and marriages along the way.

Now, while I assure you that marriage proposals are not on the agenda tonight, the Queen and I are delighted to host this European Political Community dinner. Please feel at home – after all, this is a house whose history is deeply rooted in Europe. 

Europe is not a single country.

“European” is not a single language.

And European culture is diverse and manifold.

Yet Europe is what unites us.

Europe is part of who we are, and we are all part of Europe.

Europe represents an interdependent we.

To quote the famous Danish philosopher K.E. Løgstrup:

“An individual never has something to do with another person
without holding something of that person’s life in his hands.”

We are that individual. 

As Europeans, we hold part of each other’s lives in our hands. And we owe it to our past, our present, and our future to carry that responsibility with care.

Especially in uncertain times like these.

The world is changing. Europe’s security and values are under pressure. None of us can meet these challenges alone.
We must cooperate in order to secure stability, build resilience, and restore peace on our continent.

Tonight, we show that nations can come together – even when we do not always agree. 

Il convient de remercier tout particulièrement le président Macron d’avoir pris l’initiative de créer ce forum en 2022.

I wish to thank each of you for being here – thank you for choosing cooperation over division. 

May this evening serve as another meaningful step towards a stronger and more united European “we”. 

I raise my glass to Europe and the people of Europe – with the wish for happiness and harmony, progress and prosperity for us all.